Ep 15: Four Ways to Practice Interdependence in Parenting

 

Episode Summary:

In this episode, you and I are going to look at our culture’s obsession with individualism and independence because the US’s Independence Day is right around the corner. Then, we’re going to explore an alternative which is interdependence through the lenses of human evolution, social justice action, and spirituality. After this exploration, I’ll connect these dots back to parenting so that you can play with interdependence in your daily parenting as a decolonized, embodied, and intergenerational parent.  

Full episode transcript here.

What You’ll Learn From this Episode:

  • Nat’s culture shock from interdependence in Thailand to independence and individualism in the US.

  • When we follow social norms rigidly, they can be our source of shame. 

  • What individualism and independence look like in the workplace.

  • What individualism and independence look like in parenting.

  • The cost of failing to keep up with the norms of individualism and independence.

  • “Hmm what else?” as a tool for decolonization and discernment.

  • Interdependence: What it means and feels like.

  • Interdependence in nature from indigenous wisdom.

  • Interdependence in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Inter-Be.

  • Interdependence in social justice organizing from meal trains and mutual aid networks to disability justice advocacy.

  • Interdependence in children’s cooperation and fairness.

  • Interdependence in human evolution 200 million years ago.

  • Practicing interdependence by raising children in a community.

  • Practicing interdependence with the land through land sovereignty.

  • Practicing interdependence with your child by talking about enoughness.

  • Practicing interdependence with your child by using mindful eating.